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SUBSTANCE
ABUSE RECOVERY
Substance Use Disorders
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Jackie
Landers
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Treatment for substance use disorders has
been shown to improve physical and mental health as well as improve
family relations yet studies show that less than 10-20% of people with
substance use problems seek help. We understand that it is difficult to
ask for help, whether it is for you or for a friend or loved one. This
stigma around use and addiction can be strong; therefore our approach is
supportive and non- judgmental. We begin with a thorough assessment that
screens for both chemical use and mental health concerns. This allows us
to provide you objective feedback about your specific problem so that
you can decide what your next step should be. This feedback will include
our ideas regarding the problem, the consequences, the complications and
the possibilities.
We May Offer:
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A referral to a medical doctor or a
psychiatrist.
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Information about hospitals in the
area that offer detoxifications or residential services
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Community or online self help groups
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Treatment options to help you motivate
a loved one to enter treatment
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Individual, group or family therapy
It is critical you are assisted in
developing an individualized treatment plan as people respond
differently to various types of treatment. The successfulness of
treatment can differ based on variety of factors such as: personal
history, family history, family environment, co-existing psychiatric
problems, occupation and cultural values. Once we have helped you
identify the barriers to solving your drinking or drug use problem we
will then be able to help you put together the right combinations of
things to create a path toward change.
Online
Screening
TREATMENT FOR MYSELF
Substance abuse and dependence is a
significant problem that affects many areas of life including physical
health and psychological health, family problems, impaired social
abilities, legal concerns, financial concerns, work related problems and
injuries, as well as the risks involved in drinking/using and driving.
In 2005, an estimated 22.2 million persons (9.1 percent of the
population aged 12 or older) were classified with substance dependence
or abuse in the part year. (SAMHSA) Research shows that some people have
been able to overcome their problems with alcohol and drugs without
professional help but it can be difficult to go it alone. We can help
you learn tools you need to approach life without having to rely on
drugs or alcohol. This includes developing a belief in yourself that you
can be drug and alcohol free and improve areas of your life that will
increase your overall happiness. We will help you develop skills in the
following areas:
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Recognize the internal and external
triggers to your using behaviors
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Recognize high risk situations
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Increase the belief that you can
resist using even when faced with a challenge
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Manage uncomfortable feelings and
solve problems without turning to alcohol or drugs
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Learn how to refuse drug or alcohol
when they are offered.
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Strengthen the
positive areas in your life and use them to build recovery
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Develop a balanced
life style to combat stress and cravings
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Learn to rebuild trust
between yourself and your friends or loved ones
TREATMENT FOR MY SPOUSE OR
LOVED ONES
Having a spouse of loved
one that is abusing drugs or alcohol can elicit strong feelings of
anger, fear, helplessness and hopelessness. You may have tried many
things to get them to quit. Trying to figure out what will make them
stop using is frustrating and confusing. When you think you have finally
gotten through to them, that they have finally decided to quit, you may
have discovered that they were covering up their use or that they
returned to using. Swimming in this frustration and confusion can cause
deterioration in areas of your own life. There are ways to improve your
own quality of life and help your loved one shift toward a life of
recovery. We will teach you to make changes in your own behavior that
will shape your loved ones behavior. Some people get angry and ask, "Why
do I have to change when they are the one with the problem?" It is
important to emphasize that you will be changing to improve areas of
your life so that you can feel happy in your life despite your loved
one's drinking or use. At the same time you will learn to act in ways
that can change your loved one's behavior and even motivate them to
engage in treatment for their drinking or drug use problem.
You will learn to :
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Replace ineffective
responses to drinking/using with effective responses.
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Help identify cues
that trigger your loved one to drink or use.
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Learn specific
behaviors that can discourage your loved one from responding to
triggers.
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Identify specific
behaviors to reward your loved one for healthy non-using behavior.
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Improve communication
skills that will support recovery.
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Make necessary changes
in your own life to increase your personal happiness.
TREATMENT FOR TEENS
If you are concerned that
your teenage child is using drugs or alcohol we can help you determine
their level of use and how to treat it accordingly. We use a kind,
non-confrontational approach as we assess for drug and alcohol use as
well as any co-occurring mental health problems. Teenagers have more
difficulty managing impulsivity than adults do and adding drugs and
alcohol to the mix impairs their judgment and puts them at risk. Legal
problems, auto accidents, physical and psychological problems, sexual
risk taking and unplanned pregnancy are all serious consequences that
can occur from adolescent substance abuse or addiction. Extensive use
can cause problems in the proper development of a sense of self and it
can disrupt the transition from childhood into early adulthood. The
younger a person begins to use drugs or alcohol the greater the
likelihood that they will have problems with drugs or alcohol as an
adult. This does not mean that all teens that use drugs and alcohol will
have such serious consequences but it is important to intervene early to
prevent the possibility of long term problems.
We will work with your
teen to help motivate them to see the benefits of eliminating their
substance use. Building on the healthy pro-social activities that they
are engaged in and reinforcing their participation in these activities
builds a framework to tip the balance toward a life of non-use.
Family is an important
agent in change and we will help parents/caregivers learn how effective
parenting practices are critical in discouraging substance use. Our
treatment for adolescents includes:
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Ongoing screening for
substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns
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Problem solving skills
(including interpersonal problem management)
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Communication skills
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Developing positive
peer interactions
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Developing pro-social
behaviors to replace activities related to use
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Parent/Caregiver
information and training regarding behavior shaping for your
adolescent
©
2007, written by Jackie Landers, L.C.S.W., C.S.A.C.
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